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Happy Valentine's Day! 2007

Paula's husband David surprised Paula with Joe Bear for Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day was extra special at Bits & Bytes Farm this year. The planning for it started with a phone call from David Gunnels – Paula Gunnels’ husband.

Joe Bear's secret passion is revealed.

Paula has been leasing Joe Bear for almost three years and had always wanted to purchase him. Being newlyweds and buying their first house put horse shopping on hold for a few years. Paula has always been a special “Friend of Bits & Bytes Farm” and everyone here was always hoping that Paula would be able to purchase Joe Bear before another buyer did.

Paula has helped us train and sell many horses over the years. Ace's Angel and Joe Bear. Paula's nickname is "Golden Cheeks."

A week before Valentine’s Day, David called Elizabeth and asked her if he could purchase Joe Bear and deliver him as a Valentine’s Day gift for Paula. Elizabeth asked him how he was going to present his “present” and the idea for a Valentine’s Day party was born.

Knight Villain and Tammy Gullet.

Many of the women who ride at Bits & Bytes Farm consider their favorite horse their special “friend”. Elizabeth suggested to Paula that the horses throw a Valentine’s Day party for all the single girls. Paula could help plan it because she was a married lady. Paula loved the idea and her imagination swung into action.

Allison and Brewster.

Paula suggested that we do a photo shoot of each horse and Elizabeth decided that each horse would have a “surprise” for his girl. Elizabeth and Paula each purchased decorations and props for the photo shoot and Barry bought boxes of candy for the horses to give as a surprise for his special girl.

Tucker and Zoe

It was decided to put hearts on a string on the horses’ halters for the photo shoot and not put the heart on a red ribbon. The red ribbon is our trademark for a SOLD! Horse and we did not want the girls to think they were being given the horse as a gift. Elizabeth pointed this out to Paula and she suggested using the string and putting the heart on the halter for the photos.

Irish Morning Mist and his mom Megan.

What Paula did not know was that the ‘surprise” was on her – Joe Bear WOULD be wearing a red ribbon with his heart on it.

Karen and Chanago. His heart is broken because she cannot buy him. Karen has Adam (her five month old baby) for her Valentine.

Shelby cleaned up all the horses, Allison strung hearts on the strings and Elizabeth decorated the barn interior as Barry prepared the food for the party. Tammy and Melody helped with the photography. It was a team effort. We could hardly contain our smiles as each horse was lead forward to the photo staging area.

So Romeo and his mom Niki.

The photo ops were a lot of fun as the horses reacted to the balloons and the camera's flash. So Romeo accidentally got his tail caught in the balloon ribbons and almost took Niki down the barn aisle with the balloons still stuck in his tail. It provided a good laugh and a way to cover our "Cheshire Cat" smiles over what was to come. Good spirits and good friends led up to the highlight of the evening.

David surprised Paula with the best ever Valentine's Day gift!

Paula brought Joe Bear forward and she started to put the heart on his halter. Joe Bear was a little nervous. I think he was feeling everyone's emotion. David crinkled a peppermint wrapper to get Joe's attention. Elizabeth said she had more peppermints in the feed room and she ducked into the feed room and came out with Joe Bear's red ribbon with a heart attached that said, “I’m Yours.” Paula stepped back and asked, “What does this mean?” She knew it meant Joe Bear was finally hers but David had to tell her, "This means that Joe Bear is YOUR horse".

Everyone at Bits & Bytes Farm was excited for Paula.

There were smiles and tears all round. Everyone hugged Paula. But no Bits & Bytes Farm party is complete without good food so we moved the party to the house. The champaign was poured and we drank a toast to our newest family members. Congratulations to Paula and David Gunnels on the purchase of “The Joe Bear”!

Click here to see our Valentine's Day photos. Click here to read Paula's version of this Valentine's Day surprise!

BUMS OFF!

We are all happy for Joe Bear and Paula!

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